Food businesses will find it easier to open in a part of Weston after North Somerset Council voted in favour of a new food zone initiative.

The full council agreed to implement local development orders at junction 21, which will simplify the planning process and reduce the costs for food businesses.

Cllr Elfan Ap Rees said: “It will drive growth in North Somerset and support the council’s wider aspirations to support business growth in Weston.

“It will encourage new business development in food and drink, production and distribution and improve food supply chains.”

The Food Enterprise Zone is set in the Weston Business Quarter and was established in 2015.

The authority has already secured funding and planning permission to build an £11.3million food and drink centre at junction 21, which will create up to 250 jobs and allow people to develop products and conduct research.